Egan McLamb

A musician spends years honing his craft. He writes world-class songs and performs them in a way that moves his listeners to tears. He records a demo tape and sends it to record labels. He gets a contract and becomes rich, famous and loved.

The lesson: test tapes are the secret to become a famous artist.

Wait, you say, the test tape was just an instrument, just his method of promoting his skill. It is his ability as a musician that got him the agreement and made him famous.

You're right, needless to say. H-e might have become just like famous if a record executive saw him face-to-face, or heard about him from a friend, or as a result of a number of other activities. To get one more way of interpreting this, please look at: this site.

Which brings us to the news release.

Somehow, the news release has taken o-n a reputation because the alpha and omega of coverage. Want to become rich? Distribute a press release. Wanna become famous? News release. Want to get on the cover of Newsweek? News release.

Press 'gurus' are springing up all over the Internet offering the news release as the solution to all marketing ills. Only knock-out a release, mass e-mail it to writers, sit back and await Oprah to call. Browse here at the link tour funny st patricks day quotes to learn the purpose of this activity.

It is a cruel joke.

Listed here is the reality: the news release is no longer important to your potential of scoring free press than the test tape was to our artist friend. If he'd no talent, if his songs sounded like trash, the most effective recorded demo tape on earth would not get him signed. Ditto for the publicity seeker. If you don't have a tale to tell, your press release is totally useless.

I am maybe not knocking the news release -- it is a crucial resource. Nonetheless it is just that: a tool. It's not the very first thing you'll need to think about when it comes time to find promotion. The truth is, it's one of the last. And it's not essential (I have gotten lots of publicity with just a pitch letter, a fast e-mail or perhaps a phone call).

If you worship at the shrine of the news release, it is time to change your priorities. To study more, we know you gander at: